The Waterloo Bucks utilized five scattered runs to back up the strong performance of Frank Rubio in a 5-0 shutout of the Alexandria Blue Anchors at Riverfront Stadium Tuesday afternoon (July 14, 2015).

Coming off back-to-back starts featuring five earned runs allowed in each, Rubio (Florida) was phenomenal over 7 1/3 frames throughout the noon game, squandering seven hits in the sweep of Alexandria (19-30/7-7).

Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) continued his impressive home stand, pacing the Waterloo order with two RBIs, a run scored and a double. Bryan Polowy (North Central) escaped a bases-loaded situation in the top of the eighth and secured the win with a pickoff move for the game-ending putout in relief as the Bucks (26-24/8-6) captured their fifth shutout effort of the season.

Waterloo Bucks - Frank Rubio
Frank Rubio / Courtesy: Waterloo Bucks
loading...

Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) sent the Bucks in front, 1-0, in the bottom of the first inning on a double steal. After reaching on a lead-off error in left, Selesky took home when Taylor Boyd (St. Joseph’s) coaxed a throw to the second base bag. The throw back to the plate was on target to tag out Selesky after Boyd’s stolen bag, but the ball was dropped to give Waterloo its slimmest margin of the game.

Boxwell (Minnesota) made it a 2-0 advantage in the second frame when Zach Soria (Florida International) plated him with a single into shallow right field. Beginning the inning with a lead-off walk, Boxwell scored on the hit for his third run of the two-game series.

Waterloo piled on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth after Zach McKinstry (Central Michigan) and Taylor Lane (Florida) drew bases on balls to open the frame. Next, Jonah (Bride) singled in McKinstry before Boxwell doubled down the right field line to bring in a pair for the 5-0 advatange.

Rubio exited his strong start after the Blue Anchors first two hitters found their way on base. Following 7 1/3 innings on the mound, Rubio ended the day with just seven hits allowed, two strikeouts and no walks.

Polowy entered from the bullpen in the eighth to maintain the shutout and got out of a bases-loaded frame with a comeback-grounder to the mound. The right-handed reliever allowed one hit and one walk before making the game-ending putout with a pickoff move to second base in the Bucks’ 5-0 victory.

After a day off on Wednesday, the Bucks travel to Thunder Bay for a two-game series beginning Thursday at 5:05 p.m. (CT) at Port Arthur Stadium.

Waterloo returns home next on Friday, July 18, to face the Duluth Huskies at 5:05 p.m. (CT). Join the Bucks after the game for a rockin’ concert on the field performed by country artist, and Iowa native, Neil Hewitt!

Then, presented by Hawkeye Community College, join us for a fireworks show following the Bucks game on Saturday! Fireworks shows are VERY popular so make sure to get your tickets now!

Tickets are available at waterloobucks.com. You can also visit the Bucks Ticket Office at Riverfront Stadium or call (319)-232-5633. Bucks' games are broadcast live on waterloobucks.com.

Story By: Matt Gruemmer

More From 97.7 KCRR